The British Council has kicked off E-Idea, a competition that funds, supports and mentors young eco-entrepreneurs in seven Asia-Pacific countries, including Vietnam, with their eco-friendly ideas and projects.

In each country, the competition will identify initiatives - either new ideas (start-ups) or the expansion of existing projects (step-ups) - that can make meaningful contributions to the region's environmental future by focusing on real-life sustainability challenges, according to the organizer's press release.

To participate and win these awards, projects have to address some of the biggest environmental challenges facing local urban communities. These include waste reduction and efficiency, environmental transport and travel, energy reduction, water efficiency and sustainable design.

Six cash awards will be presented in Vietnam, with VND100 million going to start ups and VND140 million for step-ups for existing enterprises.

The selected eco-entrepreneurs will receive funding as well as expert technical, business, marketing and networking support for the implementation of their projects.

The British Council and Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance are launching and running E-Idea in Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam during 2011-12.